SF votes put ex-British soldier in the Seanad

Philip Ryan Twitter Email

October 10 2014 11:09 PM

Former British soldier Gerard Craughwell commended the "bravery" of Sinn Fein members who helped him win the controversial Seanad by-election.

Mr Craughwell was the surprise winner of the highly anticipated contest to take the Seanad seat vacated by Deirdre Clune.

The fiasco surrounding John McNulty's nomination undoubtedly helped the former head of the Teachers Union of Ireland clinch victory.

But it was the transfer of votes from Sinn Fein candidate Catherine Seeley that secured the Seanad seat for Mr Craughwell.

Speaking after the election, Mr Craughwell said: "I spoke to Sinn Fein during the campaign and it's no secret I was member of the Royal Irish Rangers and Sinn Fein were quite prepared to put that behind them and I am quite prepared to put behind me any issues I may or may not have had with them."

Mr Craughwell received 98 votes, Mr McNulty received 85 and Ms Seeley received 22. Despite his British Army background, Mr Craughwell received 10 second-preference votes from the Sinn Fein candidate's transfers. Mr Craughwell, who is a former Fine Gael member, ruled out rejoining the party and insisted he would remain an independent member of the Seanad.